CloverKnollFarms
Elite Member
They aren’t free swinging. What sort of abuse? I think they advertise the capability of the machine.
BestCo Flail Mower ATV 145
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Hill Rancher
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I use one of these atv-towed flail mowers. It is the very old design that Jack noted above. I bought it from Bestco because everyone else was out of stock.
It works (so far) but has numerous design and manufacturing defects.
There is an opportunity for a better engineered self-powered flail mower. I've seen some in Europe but not in the U.S.A.- yet .
1. Center the engine so the machine doesn't have a disproportionate amount of weight on just one side.At least move the battery and gas tank to the other side. A problem on hillsides.
2.Offer an adjustable "Walking Beam" or other tandem 4 wheel design to be more stable on rough/sloped land.Offer an option that allows better adjustment of tongue weight.
3. Provide a remote stop/start control - it's just a cable and a switch !
4. Use a drive belt that is 'cogged' and segmented- like a Bobcat drive belt.
5. Use waterproof engine wiring connectors instead of exposed ,naked ones.
6. Come up with an alternative to the anti-scalp roller at the rear. At least center and secure the bearings positively and have a center support bearing/bracket in the middle.!
7. Offer larger diameter tires and easier height adjustment to help with rough terrain.
8. Offer a diesel powered alternative because gasoline is a greater fire risk and most other farm machines are diesel now.
9. Simplify in-field adjustments/repairs by standardizing fastener sizes. Mine has 15,16,1718,19 mm and more arbitrarily scattered around the machine.Reposition the turnbuckle so it is not buried beneath the drawbar. Use a tapered pin on the drawbar to make adjustments in the field easier.
10. Offer a front mounted brush bar instead of relying on the sheet metal to knock over thicker plants.
11. Option to reposition wheels to the rear to allow mowing closer to fences/walls/trees
12. Make all grease zerks accessible !!
13. Provide a clutch+lever to manually disengage the flail rotor from the engine.
I have more suggestions but you get the idea ? This design is way overdue for improvement. Simply copying what the Europeans have had for years already would be a good start.And few of theses improvements are expensive. I hope this inspires some enterprising manufacturer to try harder.
It works (so far) but has numerous design and manufacturing defects.
There is an opportunity for a better engineered self-powered flail mower. I've seen some in Europe but not in the U.S.A.- yet .
1. Center the engine so the machine doesn't have a disproportionate amount of weight on just one side.At least move the battery and gas tank to the other side. A problem on hillsides.
2.Offer an adjustable "Walking Beam" or other tandem 4 wheel design to be more stable on rough/sloped land.Offer an option that allows better adjustment of tongue weight.
3. Provide a remote stop/start control - it's just a cable and a switch !
4. Use a drive belt that is 'cogged' and segmented- like a Bobcat drive belt.
5. Use waterproof engine wiring connectors instead of exposed ,naked ones.
6. Come up with an alternative to the anti-scalp roller at the rear. At least center and secure the bearings positively and have a center support bearing/bracket in the middle.!
7. Offer larger diameter tires and easier height adjustment to help with rough terrain.
8. Offer a diesel powered alternative because gasoline is a greater fire risk and most other farm machines are diesel now.
9. Simplify in-field adjustments/repairs by standardizing fastener sizes. Mine has 15,16,1718,19 mm and more arbitrarily scattered around the machine.Reposition the turnbuckle so it is not buried beneath the drawbar. Use a tapered pin on the drawbar to make adjustments in the field easier.
10. Offer a front mounted brush bar instead of relying on the sheet metal to knock over thicker plants.
11. Option to reposition wheels to the rear to allow mowing closer to fences/walls/trees
12. Make all grease zerks accessible !!
13. Provide a clutch+lever to manually disengage the flail rotor from the engine.
I have more suggestions but you get the idea ? This design is way overdue for improvement. Simply copying what the Europeans have had for years already would be a good start.And few of theses improvements are expensive. I hope this inspires some enterprising manufacturer to try harder.
ArlyA
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Seems the Chapman mower has all or most of the features you mention.
Hill Rancher
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Thanks for the suggestions guys.
The Chapman has a few improvements but it is double the price of local machines.
Their version with a center mount motor still has the 3 belt drive box at one end so that side isn't effective at mowing close to trees/fences. But at least they seem to be trying to make practical innovations.
The Rammy ATV120 is front mounted .So you are working in all the dust and debris. O.K. on turf maybe but with Poison Oak,Hemlock and dry conditions you'd need major protection to use that configuration.I've had good experience with Valmet equipment and I like their tandem axle trailer
The Chapman has a few improvements but it is double the price of local machines.
Their version with a center mount motor still has the 3 belt drive box at one end so that side isn't effective at mowing close to trees/fences. But at least they seem to be trying to make practical innovations.
The Rammy ATV120 is front mounted .So you are working in all the dust and debris. O.K. on turf maybe but with Poison Oak,Hemlock and dry conditions you'd need major protection to use that configuration.I've had good experience with Valmet equipment and I like their tandem axle trailer
leonz
Super Member
You could always have a local welding shop build a simple tow hitch for the Rammy flail mower
with offset mounting holes in the front plate to allow you to mow to one side or the other.
Otherwise you should also look at the towed Wessex flail mowers AFR160 commercial flail mowers
as they have an importer here in the United States now.
with offset mounting holes in the front plate to allow you to mow to one side or the other.
Otherwise you should also look at the towed Wessex flail mowers AFR160 commercial flail mowers
as they have an importer here in the United States now.
Hill Rancher
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Agree on Wessex.That's why I have 2 links to their product in my Post #12 above.
Good Works sell them here in U.S.A. Their much higher price may be worth the premium ?
www.goodworkstractors.com
Good Works sell them here in U.S.A. Their much higher price may be worth the premium ?
Self-Powered Offset Rotary Cutter for ATV's & UTV's Wessex
Mow your pastures and trails with this pull-behind rotary cutter from Wessex. Self-powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine, this is meant for lush grass.
www.goodworkstractors.com
leonz
Super Member
The major reason I always mention the Wessex brand is because of the
higher quality of wheel bearings they use with their heavy flail mowers,
their tandem axles and the 23 horsepower V twin power option on their
commercial models.
higher quality of wheel bearings they use with their heavy flail mowers,
their tandem axles and the 23 horsepower V twin power option on their
commercial models.
